Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America: An AnthologyThis marvelous collection brings together the great myths and legends of the United States--from the creation stories of the first inhabitants, to the tall tales of the Western frontier, to the legendary outlaws of the 1920s, and beyond. This thoroughly engaging anthology is sweeping in its scope, embracing Big Foot and Windigo, Hiawatha and Uncle Sam, Paul Revere and Billy the Kid, and even the Iroquois Flying Head and Elvis. In the book's section on dogmas and icons, for instance, Leeming and Page discuss the American melting pot, the notion of manifest destiny, and the imposing historical and literary figure of Henry Adams. And under Heroes and Heroines, they have assembled everyone from "Honest Abe" Lincoln and George "I Cannot Tell a Lie" Washington to Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Martin Luther King, Jr. For every myth or hero rendered here, the editors include an informative yet readable excerpt, often the definitive account of the story in question. Taken as a whole, Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America reveals how waves of immigrants, encountering this strange land for the first time, adapted their religions, beliefs, and folklore to help make sense of a new and astounding place. Covering Johnny Appleseed and Stagolee as well as Paul Bunyan and Moby Dick, this wonderful anthology illuminates our nation's myth-making, enriching our idea of what it means to be American. |
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Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America: An Anthology David Adams Leeming,Jake Page Limited preview - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
African American ain’t American myth Anguta animal Asian American Bigfoot Bill Billy the Kid Black Kettle blue Boarhog Brer Fox Brer Rabbit called Changing Woman Cheyenne Chimayo Christ Coyote creation myth creatures Crockett Custer dark death dragon dream earth Elijah Muhammad European American eyes father fish Frankie Guadalupe hand head heard heaven heroes Hiawatha horse Indian James Jesse Jesus John Henry Johnny Juan Diego killed King land Lawd legend lived looked Lord Ma Barker man’s Mexico monster Mormon mother mountain Muhammad mythology nation Native American Negro never night nonviolent Pecos Bill Penitentes river scalambay Sedna sheriff shot singing Sky Father snake Stagolee story tale TarBaby tell things thought told took tribes trickster unto village Virgin of Guadalupe Water Jar Boy West Whale wife women Wunzh Yankee Doodle YehShen Yellow Hair York young